Stamp



Jan. 13, 1931. I 1,788,681

STAMP I Filed April 5, 1950 \mgzs xw I 7 5 2 frzvenzar Zauzlsfl/ehrzd ymwwym,

a a a Patented Jan. 13, 1931 UNITED STATES LOUIS MELIND, or CHICAGO, rumors STAMP Application filed April 5, 1930. Serial No. 441,907.

This invention relates to stamping devices, and more particularly to means for identifyingthe stamping or printing elements of such devices.

My invention is particularly adapted for use with hand stamps, though it is capable of being used for other purposes. One of the main objects of my invention is to provide simple and efficient means for identifying stamps, such means being capable of application to a stamp without material alteration in the construction thereof. A'further object is to provide means for securing-the handle or gripping element of a stamp to the block or equivalent member which carries the stamp proper, such securing means also serving to effectively hold the identifying means in position upon the block of the stamp.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detailed description.

In the drawings: a

Figure 1 is a sectional view through a stamp having identifying means applied thereto, in accordance with my invention, this view being taken substantially on line 1-1 of Figure 3, the handle being shown partly in elevation;

Figure'2 is a disassembled view of the stamp and the handle, showing the identifying means applied to the block of the stamp;

Figure 3 is an underneath view of the stanp looking at the printing face thereof; an a Figure 4 is a detail end view of the cover member for use with the block.

I have illustrated myinvention, byway of example. as applied to a stamp which comprises a mounting block 1, conveniently formed of wood. a bed 2 of sponge rubber, or other suitable material, set into the underface of the block, and a stamping element 3 suitably secured to the bed 2 and bearing suitable characters thereon for printing upon surfaces of articles which it is desiredto mark in a suitable manner. The block 3 is provided. at the upper end thereof, with two laterally projecting flanges econveniently formed integrally with the block. This block may readily be produced from a suitable length of wood, in-thenature of a molding, having one face cut out .or grooved to provide the recess for reception of bed2, and being provided "at each side with an outwardly projeotin rib to form the flanges 4. A length oflmolding thus formedcan readily be cut into suitable lengthsto provide'blocks similar to. theblock 1, thus facilitating production of such blocks with a corresponding saving in cost thereof.

PATENT." OFFICE Block 1 is bored out from its upper face, I

centrally thereof, to provide a socket 5 adapted for reception of a reduced stud 6 at the lower end of a. suitably shaped handle 7. The stud 6 has a frictionfit in the socket 5 for securing the block '1 to the handle;

Stamps of this general type are well known in the art and the manner of use thereof need not be illustrated nor described in detail.

It is frequently necessary to use stamps of this general character and which bear different legends, aplurality of such stamps being commonly put together in a suitable rack or other suitable supporting means. The general appearance of these stamps are quite similar and, in many cases, practically identical, so that it is necessary to view carefully a selected stamp before using the same to be certain that this stamp bears the desired marking or legend. This necessity for carefully considering the stamps before using them, is conducive to error, as well as causing appreciable loss of-ti'rne and inconvenience. It is desirable that the individual stamps bemarked for indicating clearly-the legends or markings which such stmaps are adapted to print or reproduce.

The means for identifying the individual stamps should be readily Visible when the stamp is in its normal position of use, and should be capable of being appliedto the any material changes therein.

Referring more particularly toFigure 1. I provide an insert 8 whiclrconforms to the shape of the top orupper face of block 1 which i s. in the particular embodiment illustrated. of rectangular shape. This insert may conveniently be formed of cardboard or other suitable material. The insert 8 is con- "soc et of block 1'. these openings of the insert andrthe cover fined between the upper face of block '1. and a cover member 9. This cover member is preferabl formed of a suitable transparent materia such as transparent celluloid. Cover 9 is provided, ateach side thereof, with a channel element adapted for reception of flanges i of block 1'. The cover'member is positioned upon the block 1 by being slid onto the same lengthwise thereof, with the channel elements 10 engaging about and beneath the flanges 4 and coacting therewith to hold the cover member against movement away from the block. The cover member, when thus positioned upon the block, serves to hold the insert 8 in pro ier position upon the upper face ofthe blocfi.

- Theinsert8 bears upon its upper face suitable markings or characters for identifying the-'stam- "with which such insert is associated. referably, the identifying data upon the insert corresponds to theprinting element 3.0f the stamp. The identifying data upon the insert 8 is readily visible through the transparent cover member 9 and the insert-is so disposed that the arrange ment of the data thereon corresponds to the arrangement of the corresponding printing element of the "stamp. The. insert thus serves not only to identlfy the stamp but alsoto indicate whether the stamp is bein held properly for printing the .desiredlegen upon an article in proper relation thereto. Marking the stamping device in this manner is highly advantageous as rendering it possible to ascertain at a glance theparticular stamp desired and, also, to determine whether the,

stamp is being held in proper position for printing therewith upon an article in proper relation thereto. 7

The insert 8 and the covermember 9 are provided with aligned openings which are.

dis osed in register with each other andwith Stud 6 passes through member, and serves to efiectivelysecure'them against movement relative to eachother and to the block 1. v When the handle 7 is detached from block 1 for placing the stamp and handlein a kit which maybe provided for this purpose, the insert 8 is retained in posi. tion upon the block 1 and in proper relation thereto by the cover member Under ordinary conditions, however, the-handle"? will remain in position andj se'curedto block 1, as in Figure 1 of the drawings. f g

The cover member 9 .'s preferably made of transparent material, as above -'stated. This is not. essential, however, and Jthe cover member may be made of any suitable material rendered transparent for a suflicient portion of its area to enable the data on the insert 8 to be viewed readily. Obviously, if the cover member be formed of opaque material,

the desired results can be accomplished by removing or cutting away suitable portions 1,7as,ea1

of the cover member. Preferably the cover member and the insert are disposed upon the top or uglper face of block 1. This is not essential, owever, and my invention comprehends, in its broader aspects, any other suitable or preferred. arrangement'of the cover member-and-the insert. In its preferred and more specific form, myinvention utilizes the means for securing the handle to the block for also securing'the insert and the cover member againstmovement relative to each other and the block, though this is not essential in all instances and in many cases the cover member may-be relied upon for holding the insert in position. v

What I claim is:

1. In a stamping device of the character described, comprising a mounting block and stamping means carried thereby, said block being provided with laterally pro'ecting flanges at its upper end, a cover member fitting .upon the upper end of the block and provided with channel elements engaging about saidflanges and .holding the cover member against movement away from the block, an insert between. the cover member and the block and bearin identifying data visible through said memfie means for securing the handle to the block, said securing means including an element passing through the cover member and the insert and holding them against slidingmovement relative to each other and to the block. I v 2. In a stamping device of the character described, comprising a mounting block and stamping means carried thereby, said block being provided at opposite edges of one face thereof with outwardly projecting flanges a cover member provided with channel e em'entsslidablyengaging over and about said flanges and holding the cover member against movement away from the block, and an in-.

sert disposed between the cover member and the block and bearing identifying data for r, a handle, and' roo identifying the stamp with which such insert 'is associated.

3. In a stamping device of the character described, comprising a mounting, block and stamping means carried thereby,-said block being provided :with laterally pro'ecting, flanges at its upper end, a cover mem r fit-' ting upon the upper end of the block and rovided with channel elements engaging a ut said flanges and holding the cover member against movement away from the block, an insert between .thecover member and the block and bearing identifying data visible through said member, the cover member and the insert having registering openings and the block being provided with a socket aligned with said openings, and a handle provided with an element extending through the openings of the cover member and the insert and fitting into said socket.

its edge portions formed to provide channel elements engaging about and beneath said flanges and cooperating therewith for holding the cover member against movement away from the block, and an insert between the cover member and the block and bearing identifying data visible through said'member.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 3rd day of April, 1930.

LOUIS MELIND. 

